Motorcycle Repair: Keyless headlight., 1980 honda cm400t, fuse holders

Question
I have a 1980 honda cm400t.  There's a short somewhere in the electrical system that's causing the headlight and the right front turn signal to stay lit all the time, whether the key is in the ignition or not.  I was thinking that the short might be in the ignition.  What do you think?  
Eric

Answer
Eric... Yep! That is a weird one! Pull the headlight off and access any and all wiring connectors related to the lights. Something that can happen is a bad ground somewhere and the power wires start feeding back into other wires trying to find a ground path.

The headlight/starting switch is also a dual function part, out is headlights on/running lights on. Push in headlights go out and starter motor is engaged. Also if you turn high beams on then the front running lights should go out!

http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php
for a wiring diagram for reference...

Pulling the plug on the ignition switch will tell you something about its effect on the problem. Check ALL the wiring connectors to see if a black and a black/white or black/red wire is interchanged. Look at the red wires, which are hot from the battery. Look at fuses and fuse holders to be sure that all is well there.

The CDI ignition will not shut off with the ignition switch disconnected... FYI.

A "short" is wire with voltage to ground, which will blow fuses or melt wires. It sounds like mis-wiring, poor ground or defective ignition switch, though.

Bill Silver